De Matigheid 1677 - 1755

Curator: This watercolor and ink drawing is titled "De Matigheid," attributed to Elias van Nijmegen, created sometime between 1677 and 1755. Editor: The muted tones create a surprisingly subdued atmosphere for what I imagine is meant to be a celebration of moderation. It almost feels melancholic, the woman is quite passive on the steps and the cherubs are playful and add a light energy to an otherwise dull color palette. Curator: Indeed, the limited palette underscores the allegorical nature of the piece. The central female figure represents Temperance, or Moderation. Look closely and you will notice she is flanked by two cherubs. Temperance as a virtue is commonly shown as tempering and controlling urges. Editor: And she sits on a set of stairs that, even though static, brings an energy to this piece through an element of implied upward movement and visual symbolism. The monumentality of the figure on a constructed object is contrasted by the bare landscape behind her in the left-hand background. Is that tension meant to mirror the contrast of the controlled person against an unbridled one? Curator: Exactly! Her calmness set against the background of a changing world or human existence. The two putti beside her each are symbols for controlled chaos and raw impulses, respectively, emphasizing Temperance’s careful balance between those forces. They embody what requires moderation within oneself. Editor: Interesting… so it becomes more than just abstaining from things. The loose handling of the ink washes gives it all a dreamlike quality. Notice how the contours blur; the figures aren’t sharply defined. It feels less about rigid control and more about finding fluidity in restraint. Curator: Yes, perhaps it is speaking to the balance inherent in human experience, not to outright abstinence. It prompts reflection on how restraint and pleasure are two points that mark our journey. Editor: On balance, examining its composition and symbolism deepens my understanding; from a rather lifeless scene springs new insights to ponder! Curator: Precisely. We see, in these visual cues, threads of psychological depth and timeless self-regulation concerns.